Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point will continue its “Tuesday Tutorials” on September 15 when it will present “Diabetes &Kidney Disease” at the Rao Musunuru, MD Conference Center at 14100 Yosemite Drive...

Treatment

Medications

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can relieve pain, but controversy exists about their use for stress fractures. It is possible that NSAIDs adversely affect stress fracture healing.

Rest

Rest is the most important thing you can do for a stress fracture. This includes avoiding the activity that caused the fracture and any other activities that cause pain. Rest time required is at least 6-8 weeks.

Crutches or a Cane

You may need
crutches
or a
walking cane
to keep pressure off the leg.

Activity

Talk with your doctor about when you can restart activity and how to progress with the amount and type of activity.

A common progression:

Begin with nonweight–bearing activities, such as swimming or bicycling.

Next, you can do weight-bearing, nonimpact exercise, such as a stair machine.

Gradually, you will be able to add low-impact activity, starting with walking.

Once you can do fast-paced walking with no pain, you can start higher impact activity, such as light jogging.

This gradual progression continues until you have reached your pre-injury activity level. You can return to full activity once you do not feel tenderness of the bone.

Prevention

To help reduce your chance of a stress fracture:

Gradually increase the amount and intensity of an activity

Run on a softer surface, such as grass, dirt, or certain outdoor tracks

Do not overdo any activity

Wear proper footwear

Maintain a proper weight

Avoid smoking

Revision Information

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.